Title

Dean Hanover

Photographer

Guy Kendall

Preview

Creation Date

7-12-1939

Sex of the horse

Stallion

Sire

Dillon Axworthy

Dam

Palestrina by Atlantic Express

Stable/ Owner

Hanover Shoe Farms

Rights and Access Note

Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication. For information about the process and fees for obtaining higher resolution scans or another file format, contact Special Collections.

Stable/Owner Location

Hanover, Pennsylvania

Driver Name

Unidentified

Description

Black and white photograph of the famous Dean Hanover out of Hanover Shoe Farms in Hanover, Pennsylvania. The driver is unidentified. Fifteen hands high, Dean Hanover was one of the final sons by the legendary stallion Dillon Axworthy. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Dean Hanover was sold at the Old Glory Sale in New York for $410 and re-named Mr. Watt. Under that name, he set a new half-mile track record of 2.05 for two-year-old trotters. Following his 2:00 1/4 win of the Hambletonian in 1937, Hanover Shoe Farms bought the stallion back at a price of $20,000. His name restored, in September of 1937, Dean Hanover made his first appearance in competition for Hanover Shoe Farms at Lexington. He was driven to a record-setting mile in 1.58 1/2 by 11-year-old Pennsylvania native, Alma Sheppard. At age four, Alma Sheppard, daughter of Lawrence B. Sheppard, who would become the Pennsylvania State Harness Racing Commission Chair, began learning to drive while sitting in the lap of Hall of Fame driver Thomas S. Berry. Though Alma's father, Lawrence, and mother, Charlotte were both named to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame, Alma retired from harness racing as a teenager. In 1939, Hanover Dean was retired to stud with Hanover Shoe Farm setting the fee at $200.